Review comments

We spent one year at Mark Twain and were impressed with the welcoming and inclusive school administration and teachers. The principal is approachable, involved and highly visible in the school. The IB program is well executed and consistent with IB programs in other countries. It is amazing how much the school is able to offer given that it is public, not private, and thus has to rely on fundraising for the extras.

Hugh disappointment!
PTO controlls everything. Including PTO parents hand picking the best teachers. This school behaving/ wishing they were a Private school.
With no regard for the fact it is a PUBlIC SCHOOL.
The more 5 star gift cards/ money you give. The better teachers you child will get for the next year. This is expected not appreciated.
Hugh class room dues on top of bringing more class room supplies.
And forget bringing your own school supplies. If not purchased through PTO they are sent home. School supplies are $30 dollar mark up through PTO.
Unprofessional principle and front admin. Staff. Don't you dare to try to communicate to this military mentality. Or your child will be black listed. With mean and harassing teachers.
Very small number of teachers are nurturing, kind and like there jobs.
Overcrowded classrooms with 3 to 4 parents using false addresses to get into this school. A counselor who is determined to analysis, label and diagnose every child how enters this school. Instead of allowing kids to have a normal elementary school experience. And a free spirit.
Best advice bring your check book and quit your job....join PTO.
And Then have a fabulous experience!!!

I have to unfortunately differ with most of the opinions of Mark Twain for specific reasons. I sent my daughter there for 2 years, and she has ADHD. There needed to be very small accommodations for her, as she was under a 504. The principal never made any changes that were written down, nor the teacher, or helped improve her education, and she was not learning, literally, anything. She completely fell through the cracks. I had meeting after meeting and there was all talk, yet nothing shown. She just needed a little extra, and this was never done. A good school for a completely typical student, yet not at ALL for an out of the box thinker, a child who is creative and thinks differently, and especially not for a child who has any kind of learning difference. Even as small as ADHD.

This school is more than great! The education is in a very high level and the kids are in really good hands. All the personal is caring and respectful. The principal has an unfrequent level of commitment and has the best disposition to keep the school at the level the students deserve. The literature program is the gem of the school. The kids in this school love reading and writing and they are encouraged to do so. Great Fine Arts program as well and very nurtured library!

One of the best schools! The principal is very much in touch and dedicated to the school's well being. Kids are well cared and overall development is stressed upon, not just test scores. I have had very good experience whenever I needed to talk to anybody. It is a school that is both academically good as well as with a personal touch - a combination rare to find.

My school is the best in Houston! The only drawback is the temporary buildings as the more and more families move into the area and just to send their kids to Twain. Great as a literary magnet and IB school.

We just started at Twain but I have been extremely impressed with how organized and friendly everyone has been. My daughter just started Kindergarten her and she was immediately put at ease by her new teacher. I look forward to a great year at Twain.

our son attended K grade and this is our first year. Indeed the environment is buzzing with energy and parents are kept involved at every stage. I would disagree with the 'child not wanting to go to the school' and teachers 'yelling or screaming'. On the contrary the child loved getting up in the morning and looking forward to school days. In our experience they make an effort to educate children to be part of a diverse society. Can't comment on higher classes. We did find it odd though that they tend to promote local businesses to get donations but perhaps it is OK if done within reason due to overall budget cuts etc.

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